Process for treating and processing



March 3l, 1964 H. FLEISSNER ,1

PROCESS FOR TREATING AND PROCESSING OF ELONGATED FLEXIBLE} ELEMENTS Filed Jline 5, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 31, 1964 H. FLEISSNER 3,126,556

PROCESS FOR TREATING AND PROCESSING OF ELONGATED FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS Filed June 5, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4:! FIG. 4b

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March 31, 1964 H. FLEISSNER 3,126,556

PROCESS FOR TREATING AND PROCESSING OF ELONGATED FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS Filed June 3, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 all 3 f 46' 4 44 f i 5c i I 1 I 34 I 54 l; 55 57' 50 49 48 \53 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,126,556 PROCESS FOR TREATENG AND PRGCESSING 0F ELONGATED FLEXEBLE ELEMENTS Heinz Fleissner, Egelsbach, Germany, assignor to Fleissner & C0. G.m.b.H., Egelsbaeh, Germany Filed June 3, 1959, Ser. No. were Claims priority, application Germany May 7, 1958 6 Claims. (Cl. 8-1512.)

The present invention relates to a process for treating and processing elongated flexible elements, and more particularly for washing, rinsing, bleaching, dyeing, impregnating or sizing of cables, textile bands, belts, threads or the like regardless of whether the materials are made of natural or synthetic substances.

It is already known to wash or otherwise treat cables or hands made of flexible material *by leading the material in parallel strands over a series of guide rollers immersed in a liquid treating substances. The disadvantage of such systems is in that the apparatus occupies too: much space, and especially in that it is very difficult to allow for shrinkage of and to subsequently outshrink the treated material.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved process of treating and processing flexible material which may be practiced in a compact apparatus occupying comparatively little space, and which takes into full consideration the shrinkage of processed material due to the latters contact with a liquid treating agent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of treating and processing flexible elements, such as strands of natural of synthetic textile material, according to which the material may be subjected to the washing, rinsing, bleaching, dyeing or sizing action of a liquid medium while maintained in a condition permitting it to shrink to any desired extent, and according to which the material may thereupon be outshrunk or stretched in a continuous uninterrupted operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the practice of the above method which is capable of folding the treated material at least once without interruptions in the continuous or stepwise advance of the material toward and beyond the liquid treating station.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics which is so constructed that it may continuously process a single or simultaneously a large number of elongated flexible elements.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type above set forth which is comparatively short, compact and cheap in manufacture, which is capable of folding the conveyed material into layers of many different configurations, and which is constructed with a view to maintain the material in folded condition during certain stages of or during the entire treating and processing cycle.

With the above objects in view, the invention consists essentially in the provision of a method which comprises folding each flexible element into a plurality of layers adapted to assume a zig-zag, helical or any other suitable shape, and of leading the folded material in a curved or arcuate path about the perforated mantle of at least one rotating drum immersed in a liquid treating medium, such as water, a dye, a sizing agent or the like, while the interior of each drum is under at least partial vacuum thus causing the liquid to penetrate through the perforated mantle of each drum and to simultaneously cause adherence of the conveyed material to selected zones of each mantle. By leading the strand or strands of processed material in a curved path at least partially about, rather than tangentially in a straight line along, each drum, the

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duration of intimate contact with the liquid treating medium is extended without increasing but by rather reducing the dimensions of the bath. Each strand or flexible element may consist of a series of end-to-end connected shorter units, and two or more flexible elements may be processed simultaneously, if desired. It is preferred but not absolutely necessary to fold the flexible elements in directions substantially at right angles to the direction in which the elements are advanced.

After passing through the liquid washing, bleaching, rinsing, dyeing or sizing medium, the strands are preferably led through a pressing station where they are subjected to the action of pressing or squeezing means to remove to least a certain percentage of liquid. It desired, the rollers constituting the pressing or squeezing means may be rotated at such speeds as to stretch the conveyed material sufliciently to compensate for the shrinkage occurring during contact with the liquid in the treating bath by destroying the folds or layers formed in the material in advance of the latters contact with the liquid. Such step also results in removal of higher percentages of liquid from the treated material.

The final step may consist in subjecting the material to the action of a drying medium, e.g. in a known drying compartment. The material should preferably be led through the drying compartment in folded or crimped condition; therefore, if the folds or layers are destroyed by the rotating rollers of the pressing or squeezing device, a second folding or layer-forming device is placed in advance of the drying compartment to restore the folds or convolutions before the material is subjected to the action of a drying gas, e.g., hot air. It is preferred to utilize a system of drying drums having perforated or apertured mantles and combined with suitable ventilators to withdraw air from the interior of each drum whereby the folded material is caused to adhere to selected zones of rotating perforated mantles. Any desired number of different treating stations may be provided in the path of material which leaves the drying compartment.

The material is conveyed from the folding device toward and beyond the bath, as well as from the pressing station into the drying compartment by means of suitable conveyors, for example, those utilizing a series of parallel slats or the like.

The folded material need not recessarily be disposed in parallel layers as the individual folds of one flexible element may extend into the spaces between successive folds or layers of the adjacent flexible element or elements. Among many advantageous forms into which the processed flexible element or elements may be folded are those known as zig-zag and helical or coiled shape. In addition, each individual fold or convolution of a flexible element may be further deformed, e. g., corrugated or \crimped, by the respective folding or layer-forming device in cooperation with intermittently or continuously advancing conveying means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of certain specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is schematic side elevational view of an apparatus for the treatment of elongated flexible elements which embodies the invention, certain parts being shown in vertical section taken substantially along the line II of FIG. 2, as seen in the direction of arrows;

FIG. 2 is top plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is schematic side elevational view of a modified apparatus with certain parts shown in vertical section;

FIGS. 412-4 are schematic diagrams showing different manners of laying one or more flexible elements onto various conveying components of the apparatus; and

FIG. is schematic view of one form of a cable or band laying or folding device.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and first to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus for the treatment of flexible elements comprises essentially a receptacle 21 for a liquid treating medium 22, a drum 5 in the receptacle 21 about which the flexile element or elements 1 may be led during one stage of the treatment, a drying compartment or station 11, means 3 for folding the flexible element or elements 1 into a plurality of folds, layers or coils 1a at a point in advance of the treating medium 22', and conveying means 4, 4a and '7, 9 for advancing the layers 1a of flexible element or elements 1 into the treating bath 22, and from the latter through a pressing or squeezing station 23 into the drying compartment 11, respectively.

The flexible element or elements 1, four of which are shown in FIG. 2, advance in the direction of arrow A over a deflecting roll 2 to be thereupon engaged by the folding, pleating or bending elements 3a of the folding device 3 whose swingable levers 3b are pivotally connected at St! to an up--right frame member or support 3c. Elements 3a, mounted in pairs on their respective levers 31), fold the flexible elements 1 which pass therebetween, for example, in the form of zig-zag layers 1a onto the upper run of the first band or apron conveyor 4 which delivers the folded, coiled or pleated material onto the slightly inclined second conveyor 4a. The bands or aprons of conveyors 4, 4a preferably consist of a series of parallel strips or slats schematically indicated in FIG. 1 by the reference numeral 2%. The flexible elements in the form of zig-zag layers 1a are thereupon led over a deflecting roll 30 and are urged by the liquid treating medium 22 toward the perforated or apertured mantle of the drum 5 which is hollow and houses a portion of a vacuum pump 5a, the latters function being to draw liquid 22 through the perforations or apertures formed in the mantle of, e.g., washing drum 5 whereby the liquid treating medium 22 causes the layers 1a of flexible elements 1 to firmly adhere to the drum while the elements 1 are led thereabout. Upon leaving the mantle of drum 5, the layers 1a pass about a second deflecting roller 31 and onto the upper run of the aforementioned band or apron conveyor 7 to thereupon pass between the pressing or squeezing rollers 8, 8a of the pressing apparatus 23 before being led onto the upper run of the conveyor 9 whose righthand portion extends through an opening 24 into the interior of drying compartment 11 and into close proximity of the mantle of a first drying drum 12.

The transfer of layers from conveyor 4a into the path about the mantle of drum 5 and from the latter onto the conveyor 7 is assisted by a sieve-like belt 32 which travels in an endless path about the mantle of drum 5, between deflecting rollers 3t 31, and about a second pair of deflecting rollers 33, 34. Thus, the layers 1a do not come into actual contact with the mantle of drum 5 but rather with the outer side of endless band 32 The liquid treating medium which is squeezed or pressed from the material 1a by rollers 8, 8a is collected in an inclined chute or tray 1d to be returned into the receptacle 21. It will be readily understood that each flexible element may be caused to travel about more than one drum 5 while subjected to the action of liquid treating medium 22.

After passing about the lower half of drying drum 12, the layer 1a advance onto the mantle of a median drying drum 13, and finally about the mantle of a third drying drum 14 to be thereupon led by non-represented coneyor means to one or more additional treating stations, not shown. While advancing through the compartment 11, the layers 1a of material 1 are subjected to the action of a suitable drying medium, e.g., hot air. The mantles of drums 1214 are perforated or apertured (see FIG. 2), and vacuum is generated in the interior of drying drums 1214 by ventilators or fans 12a, 13a, 14a, respectively; therefore, the layers 1a are caused to adhere to the mantles of respective drums while passing through the drying compartment 11. The inner sides of the upper halves of drums 12 and 14 are covered by substantially semicylindrical covers 12b, 14b, respectively, of sheet metal or any other suitable material, and a similar cover 13b is provided adjacent to the inner side of the lower half of median drum 13. Covers 12b, 13b and 14b are stationary and thus prevent the layers In from passing about the upper half of drum 12, about the lower half of drum 13, and about the upper half of drum 14, respectively. Due to the provision of members 12b14'b, the radially oriented suctional force generated by ventilators 12a-14a is prevented from attracting the layers 1a except in the lower halves of drums 12, 14 and in the upper half of median drum 13. Thus, as soon as the layers 1a, while traveling about the first drum 12, reach the closest point between drums 12, 13, the suctional force generated by ventilator 12a is prevented by cover 12b from causing further adherence of layers 1a to the mantle of drum 12' while the force generated by fan 13a becomes effective at a point just beyond the adjacent axially parallel edge of cover 1312 to cause transfer of the layers 1a onto the upper half of median drum 13. The transfer of layers 1a from the drum 13 onto the lower half of drum 14 is analogous.

Drums 12-14, conveyors 4, 4a, 7, 9, the drum 5 in bath 22, and the pressing rollers 8, 8a may all be rotated at predetermined angular speeds, either intermittently or continuously, by :1 schematically represented adjustable drive 15 whose details of construction form no part of this invention.

Flexible elements 1 may consist of cables, bands, threads, belts or the like and may be made of a synthetic or natural textile material, e.g., cotton, wool, rayon or the like. It is assumed merely by way of example that the flexible elements 1 advancing toward the deflecting roll 2 at the left-hand end of FIG. 1 are woolen or synthetic bands or threads coming from a suitable spinning apparatus, not shown. The liquid 22 in receptacle 21 may constitute a dyeing, sizing or simply a washing medium, depending upon the treatment which the flexible elements 1 should be subjected in the receptacle 21 while passing about the apertured mantle of drum 5.

The construction of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is slightly different from that of the assembly just described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. It is assumed in FIG. 3 that the pressing or squeezing rollers 8, 8a, are driven at speeds sufliciently high to draw the flexible element or elements 1 from deflecting roller 31 under such tension that the layers or folds 1a formed by device 3 are destroyed and the treated material advances beyond the rollers 8, 8a in the form of straight bands 1b. This is desirable in certain instances, for example, when the treating liquid should be nearly completely removed from the bands 1b before the latter reach the drying compartment 11. Moreover, the rapidly rotating rollers 8, 8a, by generating tension in conveyed material, may also stretch and thus restore the original length of flexible elements 1 which might have shrunk while passing through the liquid bath 22.

The bands 1b advancing beyond the liquid-expressing or squeezing rollers 8, 8a are led along the inclined surface of a frame member 16 to pass over a deflecting roll 2' similar to member 2 and fixed to the drying compartment 11, to be thereupon deformed into zig-zag or otherwise shaped layers 1a by a second folding device 3 comprising parts 3a, 3b and 3d analogous to similarly numbered components of the first cable or band folding device 3. It will be noted that the pivot means 3d about which the lever or levers 3b may be swung with elements 3a are mounted directly on the outer side of drying compartment 11.

FIG. 4a illustrates portions of four straight cables or bands 1 or 1b as they are led toward the deflecting roll 2 (FIGS. 1 to 3) or toward the deflecting roll 2' (FIG. 3), respectively.

FIG. 4b illustrates layers 1a or 1a of flexible elements 1 substantially as folded by the devices 3 and 3. It will be noted that the layers In or In in FIG. 4b are closely adjacent to each other while the layers formed by device 3, as best shown in FIG. 2, are formed with intervals therebetween. The closeness of layers 1a or 1a and the length of their folds or plies depends upon the length of oscillatory movements performed by levers 3b or 3b, as will be described in connection with FIG. 5.

FIG. 40 shows a modified arrangement of layers whose portions are parallel and closely adjacent to each other. In addition, each layer 10 extends over more than one-half the width of conveyor 4. It will be readily understood that such an arrangement requires slight modifications in the mounting of elements 3a, 3a in folding devices 3, 3', respectively, i.e., these elements are then disposed in vertically spaced pairs rather than in a common horizontal plane as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 4d shows four layers 1d of flexible elements whose individual portions are corrugated or puckered to fully utilize the surface of conveyor 4.

FIG. 4e shows four closely or densely coiled helical layers 1e.

FIG. 4 illustrates a single coiled layer 1 of very large diameter extending substantially over the entire width of conveyor 4; thus, it will be seen that the novel method and apparatus may be utilized for treating only one or simultaneously a large number of elongated flexible elements. As will be described in connection with FIG. 5, a single flexible element may be laid in parallel folds which extend over the entire width of a conveyor or other carrier, if desired.

The selection of the manner in which the flexible element or elements 1 may be laid by devices 3, 3 often depends upon space considerations, it being desirable to process great quantities of material per unit of time. Moreover, such selection further depends upon the manner in which the material is removed from the last drying drum 14, and also upon the desired degree of crimping, coiling or curling of the processed material. For example, regenerated cellulose fibers should often be treated to assume the desirable elastic characteristics of Wool. To that end, the synthetic material is formed by the device 3 or 3' into a number of curls or layers and led into the bath 22 which may then consist of an impregnating agent. The thoroughly wetted material is thereupon squeezed or pressed by passing between rollers 8, 8a to be dried in the compartment 11 and to be thereupon fixed in any known manner. It has been found that, upon storing for a period of say 14 days, a synthetic material processed in the just described way assumes desirable elastic characteristics and a curly or coiled shape to be ready for use as a substitute for wool in pillows or the like.

FIG. 5 shows merely by way of example a suitable folding device 3" which, for the sake of simplicity, has been illustrated with a single pendulum or lever 31)". Lever 3b" is rockable about a pivot axle 3d which is mounted on the frame member or support 3c". The lower end of lever 3b" carries a pair of shafts 40 each rotatably mounting a folding element or roller 3a". Each roller 3a" is connected for rotation with a gear 41; these gears are in mesh and are rotated in the directions indicated by arrows over a pulley mounted at the rear end of the righthand roller 3a". The pulley is driven by a belt 42 which also passes over a second pulley 43 rotatably mounted on support 30''. Member 43, in turn, is driven by a belt 44 which travels over a further pulley 45 operatively connected to the output shaft 47 of a motor 46. Output shaft 47 also drives a third belt 48 passing over a pulley 49 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 50 fixed to the frame member or support 30'. Pulley 49 is connected for rotation with a cam 51 whose peripheral cam surface is in contact with two followers 52, 53 both fixed to a rod 54 which is reciprocably mounted in two aligned bearings 55, 56 carried by the support 30. Rod 54 is formed with a downwardly extending bracket 57 which carries a pin 58 received in an elongated closed cam 59 formed in the lever 3b.

The flexible element 1 passing from the non-represented deflecting roll, e.g., the member 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is entrained by the mantles of rollers 3a" which rotate in opposing directions to be fed in parallel layers 1g onto the upper run of conveyor 4 which is assumed to be advanced in stepwise fashion by the non-represented drive, e.g., by the assembly 15 shown in FIG. 2. The movements of lever 3b" transversely of the conveyor 4 are brought about by cam 51 which reciprocates the rod 54 by means of followers 52, 53, and by the pin 58 which engages with the walls of member 3b" surrounding the latters cam slot 59.

It will be readily understood that the layers 1g may be arranged in zig-zag fashion, as shown in FIGS. 4b and 40, if the intermittent movement of conveyor 4 is changed to a continuous movement at a predetermined speed. The types of layers shown in FIGS. 4d, 42 and 4 may he arrived at by imparting to the lever 3b" a second move ment over a non-represented system of cams or the like. As before stated, the type of folding device 3" shown in FIG. 5 is but one of many known assemblies which may be utilized in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3, and no claim is made to the specific construction of this folding device.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a process of transporting an elongated flexible element having a small transversal dimension during treatment thereof, the steps of bending said element at spaced intervals in substantially opposite directions so as to form a structure consisting of to and fro bent sections with said structure located in a predetermined plane and being substantially wider and substantially shorter than said element in unbent state, moving said bent structure formed by said elongated flexible element along a curved path defined by a fluid permeable surface having its axis of curvature extending substantially parallel to said plane of said bent structure and transversal to the longitudinal extension thereof, and drawing by suction a stream of fluid through said bent structure and said surface so that the stream of fluid prevents changes in the mutual position of said sections by holding the bent structure against said surface.

2. In a process of transporting an elongated flexible element having a small transversal dimension, the steps of bending said element into a plurality of substantially zig zag shaped portions so as to form a structure consisting of bent sections with said structure located in a predetermined plane, said bent structure being substantially wider and substantially shorter than said element in its unbent state, moving said bent structure along a curved path while supported by a correspondingly curved fluid permeable surface having an axis of curvature extending substantially parallel to the plane of said bent structure and transversal to the longitudinal extension thereof, and drawing by suction a stream of fiuid through said bent structure and through said surface so that the stream of fluid prevents changes in the mutual position of said sections by holding the bent structure against said surface.

3. In a process of transporting an elongated flexible element having a small transversal dimension, the steps of bending said element into a plurality of substantially flattened helical portions so as to form a structure consisting of bent sections with said structure located in a predetermined plane, said bent structure being substantially wider and substantially shorter than said element in its unbent state, moving said bent structure along a curved path while supported by a correspondingly curved air permeable surface having an axis of curvature extending substantially parallel to the plane of said bent structure, and drawing by suction a stream of fluid through said bent structure and through said surface so that the stream of fluid prevents changes in the mutual position of said sections by holding the bent structure against said surface.

4. In a process of transporting an elongated flexible element having a small transversal dimension, the steps of bending said element in substantially opposite directions into substantially coplanar portions to form a substantially uniplanar structure consisting of bent sections, said structure being wider and shorter than said element in its unbent state; moving said bent structure along a curved path while supported by a correspondingly curved fluid permeable surface having an axis of curvature extending substantially parallel to the plane of said bent structure, and drawing by suction a stream of fluid through said bent structure and through said surface so that the stream of fluid prevents changes in the mutual positionv of said sections by holding the bent structure against said surface.

5. In a process of transporting an elongated flexible element having a small transversal dimension, the steps of bending said element in substantially opposite directions into substantially coplanar portions to form a substantially uniplanar structure consisting of bent sections, said structure being wider and shorter than said element in its unbent state; moving said bent structure along a curved path while supported by a correspondingly curved fluid permeable surface having an axis of curvature extending substantially parallel to the plane of said bent structure into and through a liquid medium and simultaneously drawing by suction the liquid medium through said bent O 0 structure and through said surface so that said medium prevents changes in the mutual position of said sections by holding the bent structure against said surface; and squeezing said bent structure to at least partially expel the liquid medium therefrom.

6. In a process of transporting an elongated flexible element having a small transversal dimension, the steps of bending said element in substantially opposite directions into substantially coplanar portions to form a substantially uniplanar structure consisting of bent sections, said structure being wider and shorter than said element in its unbent state; moving said bent structure along a curved path While supported by a correspondingly curved fluid permeable surface having an axis of curvature extending substantially parallel to the plane of said bent structure into and through a liquid medium and simultaneously drawing by suction the liquid medium through said bent structure and through said surface so that said medium prevents changes in the mutual position of said sections by holding the bent structure against said surface; squeezing said bent structure to at least partially expel the liquid therefrom; and subjecting said bent structure to tension in the direction of movement thereof to restore said element to its unbent form by stretching said bent structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,432,318 Brandwood et al Oct. 17, 1922 1,702,535 Cole Feb. 19, 1929 1,732,833 Carpenter Oct. 22, 1929 1,845,775 Zavertnik et a1 Feb. 16, 1932 1,867,210 Cohoe July 12, 1932 1,916,946 Fruh July 4, 1933 2,045,755 Cohn June 30, 1936 2,156,090 Hinnekens Apr. 25, 1939 2,182,573 Amon -Dec. 5, 1939 2,313,225 Davis Mar. 9, 1943 2,315,265 Lovett Mar. 30, 1943 2,334,066 Campbell et al Nov. 9, 1943 2,520,594 Costa Aug. 29, 1950 3,001,229 Drtina Sept. 26, 1961 

1. IN A PROCESS OF TRANSPORTING AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE ELEMENT HAVING A SMALL TRANSVERSAL DIMENSION DURING TREATMENT THEREOF, THE STEPS OF BENDING SAID ELEMENT AT SPACED INTERVALS IN SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS SO AS TO FORM A STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF TO AND FRO BENT SECTIONS WITH SAID STRUCTURE LOCATED IN A PREDETERMINED PLANE AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY WIDER AND SUBSTANTIALLY SHORTER THAN SAID ELEMENT IN UNBENT STATE, MOVING SAID BENT STRUCTURE FORMED BY SAID ELONGATED FLEXIBLE ELEMENT ALONG A CURVED PATH DEFINED BY A FLUID PERMEABLE SURFACE HAVING ITS AXIS OF CURVATURE EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID PLANE OF SAID BENT STRUCTURE AND TRANSVERSAL TO THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENSION THEREOF, AND DRAWING BY SUCTION A STREAM OF FLUID THROUGH SAID BENT STRUCTURE AND SAID SURFACE SO THAT THE STREAM OF FLUID PREVENTS CHANGES IN THE MUTUAL POSITION OF SAID SECTIONS BY HOLDING THE BENT STRUCTURE AGAINST SAID SURFACE. 